Verb Ballets Director selected for American Dance Abroad US Delegation at Internationale Tanzmesse

Verb Ballets' Producing Artistic Director, Dr. Margaret Carlson is part of the American Dance Abroad U.S. Delegation attending the Internationale Tanzmesse NRW in Germany from August 31st through September 3rd. She will be working with American Dance Abroad hosting the American Corner booth, which includes fifteen U.S. organizations: Patricia Noworol Dance Theater, Eva Dean Dance, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, keila cordova dances, Lotus Arts Management, Rioult Dance NY, Verb Ballets, Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup, Christine Bonanza Company, inkBoat, Rosy Simas Danse, , Abraham.In.Motion, LeeSaar The Company!, and The Bang Group. The delegation consists of artists, presenters, and managers representing American dance.

The Tanzmesse NRW encompasses parallel congresses of world meetings, a humanities program of workshops and professional development, a festival, and a marketplace. The marketplace is the core of the professional activities, as it includes numerous opportunities for professionals to meet, network, and exchange information. It is the largest single gathering devoted to contemporary dance in the world.

Verb Ballets was honored to receive support from APAP Conference NYC and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for travel grants to allow Dr. Margaret Carlson to attend the festival. In addition to support from American Dance Abroad, the project is supported by the U.S. Consul Generale in Düsseldorf. Verb Ballets is honored to represent American dance companies at the Internationale Tanzmesse NRW!

Internationale Tanzmesse NRW Background:

The Internationale Tanzmesse NRW was created in the early '90s by Anne Neumann, director of the GesellschaftfürZeitgenössichenTanz NRW (GZT), to facilitate international exchange and understanding among dance people worldwide. The GZT is a regional NGO that supports and provides service to the dance field of North Rhine Westphalia in Northwest Germany. Begun as a regional gathering, the Internationale Tanzmesse NRW has grown into an international meeting point of dance drawing professionals from over 40 countries. In 2002, Kajo Nelles and Carolelinda Dickey assumed leadership of the Tanzmesse. Kajo Nelles was named Director in 2004 and Carolelinda Dickey became the co-Director in 2006. In 2014, Felix Wittek became the Director of the Tanzmesse and with Carolelinda Dickey, Christian Watty and Roman Arndt, a programming team was formed. Roman Arndt died in 2016.

Verb Ballets, a contemporary ballet company, presents dynamic programming through bold artistry, unique styles and technical excellence that captivates a broad audience. Under the direction of Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director, and Richard Dickinson, MFA, Associate Director, the company will present a season that ignites passion in the energy, beauty and athleticism of dance. Critics have hailed Verb Ballets as, “Dashes preconceptions …with keen dramatic power.” -The Plain Dealer, "(Verb) is dance magnifique.” - The Examiner, “confident and polished, Verb's dancers shone” - Dance International Magazine. Verb Ballets cultivates dance appreciation and nurtures wellness through movement in community dance classes, school residencies, senior outreach, library programs, master classes and college course partnerships. Verb Ballets has also been named one of Five Great Tiny Troupes in America by Dance Magazine and was one of the 25 dance companies in America to watch. Additional information can be found at www.verbballets.org.